The Foreign Service Journal, October 2019

62 OCTOBER 2019 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL AFSA NEWS Inside the World of Diplomacy On Aug. 15, AFSA hosted nearly 120 participants in the Smithsonian Associates program “Inside the World of Diplomacy.” Ambassador (ret.) Charles Ray (pictured) and AFSA Director of Professional Policy Issues Julie Nutter, a retired member of the Senior Foreign Service, led the audience through an introduction to the U.S. Foreign Service and embassies, using their careers as examples of the many things diplomats do every day around the world. This was the fifth straight year AFSA has collaborated with Smithsonian Associates on this program. AFSA/CAMERONWOODWORTH AFSAGoverning Board Meeting, Aug. 21, 2019 Passing of AFSA COO Russ Capps: AFSA President Eric Rubin made remarks about the passing of AFSA Chief Operating Officer Russ Capps. He spoke about the grief people in the AFSA community feel over his loss and expressed gratitude for how people came together in a time of crisis. The Governing Board observed a moment of silence. President Job Description Change: Lillian Wahl-Tuco moved to adopt changes to the job description of the AFSA president as outlined in the Governing Board packet. The board approved the motion. Auditor’s Report: Ambassador Rubin called for a vote to adopt the auditor’s report. The board adopted the audi- tor’s report. Foreign Service Grievance Board: John Naland moved to nominate retired Diplomatic Security Officer Nace Crawford to fill the open Foreign Service annuitant seat on the Foreign Service Grievance Board. The board approved the motion. AFSA Membership Committee: Joshua Archibald and Lorraine Sherman were appointed to serve on the AFSA Membership Committee. Family/Medical Leave and Leave Donation Policy: John Naland moved to amend the AFSA Employee Handbook to extend family and medical leave and leave donation policy benefits to AFSA employees, as detailed in the Governing Board packet. The board adopted the motion. n Update Your Information for the 2020 AFSA Directory of Retired Members It’s that time of year when we ask retiree members to make sure AFSA has your most up-to-date contact information— including address, telephone and email address—for inclu- sion in the 2020 AFSA Retiree Directory. If you have moved or changed any of your contact infor- mation in the last year, please email us at member@afsa. org. If no changes are required, there is no need to act. The deadline for all changes for the 2020 Retiree Directory is November 1, 2019. Please note that if you have previously requested that your name not be included in the directory, we have that information recorded and will ensure that it is not included. Additionally, if you have previously requested not to receive a copy of the directory, we have that information recorded. For new requests, please email AFSA. n